The rapid urbanization has led to significant growth in resource consumption and waste generation. The linear economic model of “take, make, and dispose” is contributing to resource supply risks and increased solid waste generation. To address this, the concept of a circular economy aims to prevent waste generation and transform waste into valuable resources. Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is a major waste stream in modern society, particularly in rapidly urbanizing countries like China, the United States, and the European Union. The EU has made significant progress in CDW management, with high recovery rates and advanced systems in place. The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) introduced the waste hierarchy, prioritizing waste prevention and management options. CDW management plays a crucial role in achieving a circular construction sector. The “An overview of the waste hierarchy framework for analyzing the circularity in construction and demolition waste management in Europe” explores CDW management in Europe, examining the adoption of the waste hierarchy, the connection between the waste hierarchy and circular economy, current CDW management practices in EU member states, technological routes for improved CDW management, and the future direction of CDW management in the EU.
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